Back To School 2013-14

Tots to Teens Magazine

Fall 2013

*Back to School Styles ~Must Have~ B2S Products

Tots To Teens Magazine

Time to go...

Back To School!

Let’s Party!

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There will be big changes in our home this fall. My four-year-old son, and only child, Sam, will be attending school for the first time. Until recently, he was very excited. Now that September is getting closer, he's getting a little nervous. And, I have to admit, so am I. When he expressed his fears to me, I decided to do what I know best. I planned a little party to help ease his transition to full-time student. As an Etsy shop owner and blogger that focuses exclusively in boys’ parties, I have always loved throwing a party. It was natural to turn Sam's fear into excitement by celebrating back to school with a fun get together with his friends.

While this is definitely a new adventure for Sam, he's looking forward to school now that we've focused on the exciting things that are about to happen. With some great decorations, games, and play-to-learn activities, you can also create a wonderful atmosphere that can help make back to school lots of fun.

The key to a party like this for little ones is to keep the activities simple and fun – everything about school is new to them so you don’t to overwhelm. For our back to school bash, I focused activities on key areas of learning and enrichment, including art, music and gym as well as literacy, science and math. Of course, we also had recess!

The kids drew during art class and practiced their math skills with a fun activity that involved counting green apples. I then cut some of the apples open so the kids could learn about the different parts of an apple during science class.

Dollar store recorders were given to each of the children during music class so that they could learn to play the song “Three Blind Mice.” I joked to one mom that I might not recommend this activity again. I don’t think I heard anything remotely close to the song being played – but they did have a blast doing it. Sam and his friends snacked on apple slices, mini sandwiches and juice boxes – all typical of a school lunch. The party’s recess time was the perfect excuse to bring out the vanilla cupcakes, which were served in adorable School Rules-themed cupcake wrappers.

After lunch, the kids had gym class in the backyard. They played tag, tried to throw a Frisbee to each other and learned how to kick a soccer ball.

The best thing about the whole party was that, for under $50, Sam and his friends were left looking forward to starting kindergarten in the fall. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Stephanie Keeping is the mother of a four-year-old son and owner of Spaceships and Laser Beams, a blog and party shop at www.spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com.

COVER PHOTO: Courtesy of Stephanie Keeping

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Lets Head Back to School

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Personalize your school year! Great gifts for teachers, students, and parents that will make your school year extra special.

For all items and more information, visit www.facebook.com/ creativedesignsbytoni

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An “O.riginal“ twist on school supplies O.riginals: Design & Stationery lets you select fabric choice, character face, skin tone, hair color, text and accessory color for popular back to school items. Personalized lunch boxes allows kids to find their lunches in a snap and will sure be the talk of the cafeteria! Products do not stop at lunch boxes!

You can find many back to school supplies such as pencil pouches, backpacks, binders, “This Belongs To” stickers, bag tags, paper, teachers gifts and more! Being O.riginal makes us happy!

Customize products to resemble the recipient! Full body illustrations allow you to choose the attire that best corresponds with the use of the product: school, sorority, activity, professional or casual. {see below}

www.originalsds.com

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Okay we are huge fans of the ZAZOO Kids's Photo Clock!! Huge! This alarm clock is great for little ones to understand time before telling time with pictures and music to assist in time management. You can add your own pictures and music, which also makes the ZAZOO clock is perfect for Tots to Teens ;) Check our website for a review on ZAZOO! Everyone needs a perfect night's sleep :) ZAZOO Photo Clock $89.99 http://www.zazookids.com

-----------------------------------------> Protect those precious eyes with these adorable Jbanz! Jbanz are made using UV400 Polarized polycarbonate lenses and sturdy frames with style. $24.99 http:// usa.babybanz.com

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Preschool Girls Back to School outfit 1.

Custom Boutique Chevron Peasant Dress $26 via http://www.etsy.com/shop/ Janslittlehearts>Little Hearts Boutique

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Chrome Tiny Toms Glitter Shoes $36 www.toms.com >>TOMS

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Personalized Preschool Backpack School Bag, Book Bag, Back Pack, INSULATED $29.99 via http://www.etsy.com/shop/PCreations Personalized Creations

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Preschool Boys Back to school outfit 1.

Changeable - Tie and Bow Tie T-Shirt with Suspenders - set of 4 $22 via http:// www.etsy.com/shop/LouEmbres >LouEmbresPersonalized

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Toddler Backpack-Preschool Backpack- Free Embroidery Personalization-Pink/ Lime- Black/White $32 via http://www.etsy.com/shop/PigtailPuddleJumpers Pigtail and Puddle Jumpers

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Birmingham Medium Wash Jeans http://www.oshkosh.com/ Osh Kosh

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Ash Canvas Tiny TOMS Cordones $36 via www.toms.com>>TOMS

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Style... it’s Elementary!

G irls Back To School Outfit • • •

Cherokee® Girls' Denim Jacket - Blue $19.99 via Target.com Cherokee® Girls' Short Sleeve Tee $14.99 via Target.com Four Peas Bruiser Backpack $35 www.fourpeasonline.com/ {super cute!}

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girls twirly Fall skirt pink,brown,aqua $15 via Lighting Bugs Lane Designs www.etsy.com/shop/LightningBugsLane

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Boys Back To School Outfit •

Boys Robot Shirt - Personalized Toddler Tee Retro Robot Top $21.95 via Crowsmack http://www.etsy.com/shop/Crowsmack1969

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Heavy duty original fit jeans $34.95 via www.gapkids.com Adidas Court Attitude C $55 via Piperlime http://piperlime.gap.com/ Four Peas Biker School Backpack $35 www.fourpeasonline.com

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Must Haves for Kids

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1} Circle of Friends Lice Defense Family Kit $$51 It's that time of year, protect your family with lice defense prevention. Lice Defense helps keep lice and other insects from your child's hair and scalp naturally with our unique blend of Tea Tree, Andiroba and Lavender oils. http://www.cofbath.com/Retail/Lice-Defense/Lice-Defense-Family-Kit 2} Scan Me Tag Shoe Tags, upload your child's information such as allergies to the Scan Me tag using the QR Reader App, which will help others know any allergic reactions or other information you provide for your child's safety. $29.95 includes 1 year service http://www.scanabilities.com/store/scanmekidz/the-scanmekidz-shoe-tag.html 3} namemaker creates labels for clothes, journals, lunch boxes, bonus namemakers makes waterproof labels too! Prices vary. http://www.namemaker.com/

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1}Get your Kindergartener excited about writing his alphabet. The AppCrayon encourages writing though using the crayon, with the free app provided. $9.99 http://www.dano2.com/apps/appcrayon-blue/ 2} Happy Charmz are the new craze for tweens with so many cute chamz to adorn pencils. $6.99 for 3 Pick your happy style. www.happycharmz.com

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DIY Pencil Holder

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Students aren’t the only ones who need to be organized, parents need all the help they can get and the

Home Collec)on by Post-­‐it Brand and Scotch Brand is just what we recommend!

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{3} 1} Scotch® Display Frames provide a quick and easy way to frame 8 1/2 in x 11 in pictures, kids artwork or schedules. Keep items protected from spills and other damage and neatly on display.

Reusable and easy to update as often as you like.

2} Post-it® View and Go pocket is the perfect organizational solution to keep necessary papers neat and easy to find. Great for designating a spot to keep important papers such as school forms and schedules!

3} Post-it® Dry Erase Planner mounts practically anywhere, yet removes easily. Just peel, stick and organize project plans or weekly events. Have one visible spot to plan details of important projects, family chores, weekly schedules and meals.

www.containerstore.com or www.post-it.com/home for more great organizational products!

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Mead and Five Star have a great assortment of products for preschoolers and younger students.

PK-K-1 - Learning Through Hidden Pictures, Dry Erase Colors & Shapes Flash Cards, Dry Erase Numbers Flashcards, Learning Through Mazes and Learn to Letter with raised ruling helps preschool through first graders become aware of shapes, colors, words, shape formations, reading comprehension math and science skills, language arts, strategic planning, and writing within the raised lines. www.meadfivestar.com Grades 1-3 - Dry Erase Tangrams provide hands on Math, basic geometry and promote logical thinking. Learning Through Brain Teasers enhance critical thinking, logic, problem solving, puzzles, patterns and codes. On-The-Go Dry Erase Boards allow kids to play games like hangman, travel bingo, counting cars, tic-tac-toe, dot game and word creations. Puzzle Words is two-sided puzzles with erasable drawing space and write-on lines. www.meadfivestar.com Bedtime Math - by Laura Overdeck is a great way to get kids to learn math...even at bedtime!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised if your child wants to stay up late, to read! $14.99 www.bedtimemath.org

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Packing lunches for children is never an easy task, but when you have super cool containers, lunch boxes and water bottles, how could you go wrong? These great products keep lunches cold for hours and tasty treats are a great addition to any lunch or snack time!

From Fit & Fresh - Kids Lunch Pak Carrier {$7.99}, Kids Soft Touch Lid Lunch Pod {$5.99}, Kids Soft Touch Lid 2 Cup Chilled Containers (Set of 4) {$13.99}, Gabby Kids Chiller Lunch Bag Funky Eskimo {$12.99} www.fit-fresh.com From Kidz Zone Perfect {Zone Perfect} - They have a wonderful and nutritious treat made just for kids! Now moms can feel good about giving their little ones a sweet treat that is actually good for them! Give the Yellow Cupcake or the Caramel Crunch, or our favorite the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip nutrition bar a try! Available at most grocery and super centers. For more information visit www.zoneperfect.com

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Three Looks for the Ladies

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SO Smiley Face Fleece Sweatshirt $36 SO Jeggings $32

FILA SPORT Core Racer $24 FILA SPORT Motion Pants $38

Mudd Plaid Top $30 SO Knit Denim Jeggings $32 www.kohls.com 18

The Boys Got Style too 1} 2}

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1} Urban Pipeline Striped Henley $24 2} Lee Straight Fit Jeans $28 3} Nike KO 2.0 GFX Therma-FIT $40 4} Tek Gear Tricot Pants $28 www.kohls.com 19

Teen Style Scene itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s black & white

Jaws Burnout Tee makes a comeback! www.delias.com

Morgan Miami Wash Low-Rise Skinny Jean Go from day to night in a fabulous pair of Morgan jeans. Five-pocket stretch jean with narrow leg. www.delias.com

Contrast Dorito Tipped Sweater Long sleeve crew neck pullover with horizontal stripes and contrast dorito stitching. www.delias.com

Vans' storied history, and our connection with skate and surf culture, began in 1966 Southern California with the rolling out of a single pair of shoes. They were named Authentic. In the generations since, they have only gotten more popular amongst hardcore skaters and skate enthusiasts. Their design is simple, stylish, and effective: a low top lace-up profile made with sturdy canvas uppers, and signature waffle rubber soles. shop.vans.com

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The Styled Guy

Men’s Zip-Front Hoodies $26.94 www.oldnavy.com

Men’s Marvel™ The Amazing Spiderman Tee Shirt $14.94 www.oldnavy.com

Mens Loose-Fit Jeans $22.00 www.oldnavy.com

Converse Men's CT All Star Dual Collar Shoes The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Dual Collar sneakers will give you a signature look. Canvas upper in a casual low-top sneaker style shoe with a rubber cap toeLaceup front metal eyeletsContrast cushioned dual collarCanvas lining with cushioned insoleStriped vulcanized rubber midsoleRubber traction outsole. www.famousfootwear.com

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************************** Mead and Five Star’s Key to Organization The best way to be successful is to be organized! Mead and Five Star’s 2013 Back to School products are just what moms love and kids need!

1} Paper Frame Locker Magnet allows friends leave messages by writing on the paper frame. Share fun moments with friends by changing out the photo as needed. When you no longer want the message or note, simply tear off the pad and start fresh!

2} Spiral Notebooks are a must have for any student. The fun stripe shape it up notebook helps to keep various subjects separated and easy to find.

3} Locker Magnet pencil holder is super strong and durable. Use on your desktop or place in your locker. Store all your pens, pencils and markers there without worrying that they will all fall to the bottom of your locker when you grab one in a hurry!

4} Customized Expanding File & Zipper Closure has 7 pockets, 6 reminder tabs and a clear cover making finding important school papers a breeze to find.

5} 1” Hybrid Notebinder and College Ruled Reinforced Filler Paper is all you need to get you through the busy school day. The 1” Hybrid Notebinder has a 200 sheet capacity and has a Techlock ring fixture that won’t break or misalign. Acts like a notebook, but works like a binder! And who doesn’t need filler paper??

6} 5 Pocket Expanding File is amazing! It has 5 removable color coded pockets that makes finding school work simple and quick. It might even fit in your standard size backpack!

For more great back to school products visit www.meadfivestar.com

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Back to School Shopping done right at Ross Dress for Less 24

If you want to find stylish back to school clothes {or dorm room decor}, we suggest you take a look at what Ross Dress for Less has to offer! The kids had fun browsing the store and even took a moment to take â&#x20AC;&#x153;selfiesâ&#x20AC;? there and shared them with their friends! To see more about our Ross Dress for Less shopping experience and to see what you can get for under $25, be sure to visit Tots To Teens Magazine and enter our Back to School giveaway!

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The End...

Enjoy your 2013-2014 School Year!

We’ll see you soon!

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